Gorgonian question

[Nheko]

I have a pair of gorgonian corals that I added recently to my tank. I placed both where they receive enough flow and light, I also feed them with phytoplankton every other day. One is doing good (left) while the other not (right). It doesn’t extend their polyps (or maybe they are called bristles?) and I am not sure what I am doing wrong. The parameters are good, checked with my LFS store. What could be the cause of the Coral not extending their polyps?

Tank is 20 Fallon cube with an AI prime 16.

 

[twentyleagues]

I have a pair of gorgonian corals that I added recently to my tank. I placed both where they receive enough flow and light, I also feed them with phytoplankton every other day. One is doing good (left) while the other not (right). It doesn’t extend their polyps (or maybe they are called bristles?) and I am not sure what I am doing wrong. The parameters are good, checked with my LFS store. What could be the cause of the Coral not extending their polyps?

Tank is 20 Fallon cube with an AI prime 16.

The part that is buried in the sand will die. I am not the greatest at identifying gorgs are you sure those are photosynthetic? They may take some phyto but typically need slightly larger particles.

 

[DED65]

They look to be non-photosynthetic. I would feed daily (2 or 3 times is better)and add Benepets or Reef Roids to the feeding, oyster eggs are good too. They are difficult, but if you can feed them well, they may do alright.

 

[i cant think]

I have a pair of gorgonian corals that I added recently to my tank. I placed both where they receive enough flow and light, I also feed them with phytoplankton every other day. One is doing good (left) while the other not (right). It doesn’t extend their polyps (or maybe they are called bristles?) and I am not sure what I am doing wrong. The parameters are good, checked with my LFS store. What could be the cause of the Coral not extending their polyps?

Tank is 20 Fallon cube with an AI prime 16.

I recommend checking in the middle of the night when everything is black.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I currently have 10 gorgonians and I would say, they need more of a direct flow. These look like non-Photosynthetic gorgonians... I would feed more then phytoplankton.

Some people with non-Photosynthetic corals often feed Reef nutrition food like oyster feast or R.O.E

 

[Nheko]

Thank you guys for all your responses. I adjusted the flow so it will receive more. I will also start adding phytoplankton on daily bases. I sincerely thought that both gorgonians were photosynthetic, and so did the person from the LFS who sold them to me, that’s ok it just need a little more care.

Thanks once again and I will keep you posted.

 

[NanoNana]

As said, NPS gorgonians. They’ll open if they have enough flow. Gorgonians I’ve in the shallows where surf breaks. They like a lot of flow. Don’t bury the ends. Glue your frag plug to a flat rock if you want them on the sand.
They need more than phyto. Reef roids, Red Sea Energy, frozen brine etc.

 

[Hp1836]

The red ones which you have are most definitely non photosynthetic. Generally if the gorgonians polyps open white then they are nonphotosynthetic. These are my favorite gorgonians but a pain to keep. I have kept every type of gorgonian for many years now. Flow is not as much of an issue as I have grown them in virtually no flow as well as insanely high flow. The problem with these is feeding. In my experience these don't really eat phyto but they sure love reef roids and benepets. Aim for target feeding 3 times a day. If the polyps do not open for a day then check at night long after the lights go out.

If the polyps stay shut for 3-4 days then in my experience it's game over as they will never open again so you have to stay on top of it. As long as you keep them well fed they should stay open and happy though.

 

[NanoNana]

The red ones which you have are most definitely non photosynthetic. Generally if the gorgonians polyps open white then they are nonphotosynthetic. These are my favorite gorgonians but a pain to keep. I have kept every type of gorgonian for many years now. Flow is not as much of an issue as I have grown them in virtually no flow as well as insanely high flow. The problem with these is feeding. In my experience these don't really eat phyto but they sure love reef roids and benepets. Aim for target feeding 3 times a day. If the polyps do not open for a day then check at night long after the lights go out.

If the polyps stay shut for 3-4 days then in my experience it's game over as they will never open again so you have to stay on top of it. As long as you keep them well fed they should stay open and happy though.

Mine would crawl out of the tank and smack me if I turned their flow down. Lol. If they could walk ofc.

 

[DED65]

Mine would crawl out of the tank and smack me if I turned their flow down. Lol. If they could walk ofc.

Yeah, they need the flow to feed and to help keep any algae from growing on them.

 

[Nheko]

The red ones which you have are most definitely non photosynthetic. Generally if the gorgonians polyps open white then they are nonphotosynthetic. These are my favorite gorgonians but a pain to keep. I have kept every type of gorgonian for many years now. Flow is not as much of an issue as I have grown them in virtually no flow as well as insanely high flow. The problem with these is feeding. In my experience these don't really eat phyto but they sure love reef roids and benepets. Aim for target feeding 3 times a day. If the polyps do not open for a day then check at night long after the lights go out.

If the polyps stay shut for 3-4 days then in my experience it's game over as they will never open again so you have to stay on top of it. As long as you keep them well fed they should stay open and happy though.

Sigh… So I can assume then that the one in the right is dead since it hasn’t opened his polyps in 5 days?

Shall I stop using phytoplankton and use either reef roids or benepets?

Any more words of wisdom are appreciated.

 

[DED65]

Sigh… So I can assume then that the one in the right is dead since it hasn’t opened his polyps in 5 days?

Shall I stop using phytoplankton and use either reef roids or benepets?

Any more words of wisdom are appreciated.

I would give them more time. Reef Roids or Benepets may stimulate the polyps to extend. You can mix the foods with the phytoplankton if you want to.